Methods and systems for connected sales associate services

ABSTRACT

A method and system for providing a connected sales associate service application via a mobile device. The application provides for an integrated platform upon which various tools for providing support to a sales associate are built. The application includes a database of information regarding the sales associates and operational information regarding a retail establishment, and provides a user interface for allowing the sales associate to access a central server for the retail establishment along with multiple additional sales associates on multiple additional mobile devices. The user interface enables the store associate to initialize and conduct VoIP calls with any of the other additional sales associates through each of their respective mobile devices. In addition, stationary user interfaces can be positioned throughout the store to enable customers to request assistance from sales associates.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is related to U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/438,592 entitled “Method and Systems for Connected Sales AssociateServices,” filed Apr. 3, 2012, the contents of which are incorporatedherein by reference in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present description relates generally to multi-channel connectivityof a sales force and more particularly to methods and systems forproviding connected sales associate services.

BACKGROUND OF RELATED ART

In-store sales associates have traditionally been provided with basicin-store electronic support including, for example, point-of-sale (POS)support. Traditionally, POS support has been embodied by an in-storenon-mobile cash-register that is centrally located to allow customers topay for merchandise, and to allow sales associates to provide limited,stationary sales support, such as product lookups, sales manuals, etc.

Recent developments of robust mobile devices have led to animplementation of a mobile platform POS support system. For example, USPatent publication No. 2011/0231272 is directed to a retail mobile POSsoftware application that provides mobile POS support to retailers. Thedescribed system includes a scanner and an IPOD TOUCH coupled with aretail POS system, and uses a touch screen interface to POS features asalesperson would typically use to help a guest, including purchaseswith credit, gift and debit cards, cash, and making returns. The mobilesystem also combines IPOD TOUCH features with a magnetic stripe reader,barcode scanner, and software to speed plastic and cash transactions.

For credit card and instant credit transactions, guests or purchasers,write their signature on the device using finger entry and control. Anyemployee who has the portable electronic device can accept cashtransactions. After entering all the products and totaling the cost, theemployee presses an on-screen “Cash” button to electronically open oneof any number of cash drawers installed around the store. Guests (orpurchasers) will continue to have the option to receive a printed ore-mailed receipt, or both.

The described mobile POS software application, however, is limited inthat it is simply an extension of the traditional POS system. Today'ssales associates, however, demand, additional mobile access tomultichannel processing and support systems to provide for enhancedsales activities. Thus, while the background systems and methodsidentified herein, generally work for their intended purpose, thesubject disclosure provides improvements thereto, particularly byproviding systems and methods for connected sales associate services byprovided mobile connectivity to various sales support systems through asingle integrated mobile device.

SUMMARY

In particular, the subject disclosure provides systems and methods forenabling Voice Over Internet Protocol (“VoIP”) between sales associateswho are connected via mobile devices, VoIP applications enable users tomake mobile calls using an Internet connection instead of cellularservice. Such applications must maintain a persistent network connectionto receive incoming calls, but rather than keep the application “awake”at all times (which would drain the mobile device's batterysignificantly), the application is kept suspended. When the applicationis opened, it creates an active transmission control protocol (“TCP”)connection with a specified TCP server. The TCP server accepts the TCPconnection from the mobile device and begins sending “keep awake”messages to the mobile device intermittently—a few times per minute.These “keep awake” messages allow the application to “wake up” fromsuspension every now and then to process any pending call requests fromother mobile devices. If the application shuts down, the TCP serverdetects that the application is no longer running and stops sending“keep alive” messages to that mobile device.

The present. VoIP application relies on software development kits(“SDK”) provided by Apple, Inc. (“Apple”) in connection with its mobileoperating system iOS 5.x. The present disclosure relies, at least in oneexample, on two prominent open source projects involving VoIPconnectivity, namely, PJSIP and Siphon.

PJSIP is a comprehensive open source multimedia communication librarywritten in C language. PJSIP features a native audio device whichsupports an echo canceller, output volume setting, the ability to changeinput and output routes, and input and output latency settings. PJSIPspecifically requires use of an SDK provided by Apple.

SIPHON is an open source native IOS application, capable of running onIOS 4.x and 5.x devices, which utilizes the internal microphone andspeaker or a headset. SIPHON also preserves the native design of IOScommunication applications, and supports the SIP standard protocol, thusenabling compatibility with other SIP providers across varied platforms,(e.g., IOS, ANDROID, WINDOWS, etc.) and devices (e.g., Mobile phones,PCs, MACs, Tablets, etc.). Additionally, Siphon incorporates a graphicaluser interface which preserves the design of APPLE's native IPHONEapplications.

Finally, Applicant has relied upon Apple's SDK reference materialsregarding VoIP applications on iOS devices. These references, whichinclude online forums aimed at application developers, providebackground for how VoIP applications work, including the sustained TCPconnection and intermittent “keep awake” messages noted above, whichensure that the suspended VoIP application does not drain the mobiledevice's battery.

In the present application, the systems and methods disclosed providefor an integrated platform upon which various tools for providingsupport to a sales associate are built. Specifically, the presentapplication discloses an integrated system for electronically providingrelevant sales information and/or tools to sales associates such thatthe sale associates are capable of actively performing their servicejobs. The system provides for mobile and/or desktop device connectivityand includes multi-channel integration in a social networking and retailenvironment, reward, financial, marketing and/or POS services, and VoIPconnectivity between mobile devices.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the present disclosure, reference may behad to various examples shown in the attached drawings.

FIG. 1 illustrates in block diagram form components of an examplecomputer network environment suitable for implementing the examplemethods and systems for connected sales associate service disclosed.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example connected sales associate system inaccordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example method by which a user may be presentedwith a dashboard view of the connect application.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example method by which a user with differentpermissions may be presented with a dashboard view of the connectapplication.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example method by which a user may view taskassociated with a selected connected user.

FIG. 6 illustrates an example method by which a user may view a listingof sales associates connected through the application.

FIG. 7 illustrates an example method by which a user may view a mapillustration of sales associates connected through the application.

FIG. 8 illustrates an example method by which a user may punch-in and/orpunch-out for time keeping purposes.

FIGS. 9 and 10 each illustrate an example method by which a user mayview various applications associated with the user.

FIG. 11 illustrates an example method by which a user may viewadditional applications associated with the user in a list format.

FIG. 12 illustrates an example method by which a user may add, modify,and/or delete an item management list.

FIG. 13 illustrates an example method by which a user may view, create,and/or contact a sales force generated lead.

FIG. 14 illustrates an example method by which a user may lookup arewards customer information.

FIGS. 15-17 illustrate an example method by which a user may add acustomer to a rewards program.

FIG. 18 illustrates an example method by which a user may customize theapplication layout of the example connect system disclosed herein.

FIG. 19 illustrates an example method by which a user may view otherusers operating on the example connect system disclosed herein.

FIG. 20 illustrates an example method by which a user may view anothermap of the current location of others users operating on the exampleconnect system disclosed herein.

FIG. 21 illustrates an example method by which a user may view commentsposted to a social media application on the example connect systemdisclosed herein.

FIG. 22 illustrates an example method by which a user may view metricsregarding a retail establishment, enterprise, and/or personalperformance on the example connect system disclosed herein.

FIGS. 23 and 24 together illustrate an example method by which a usermay view and monitor activities associated with the job of the salesassociate on the example connect system disclosed herein.

FIG. 25 illustrates an example method by which a user may view personalinformation on the example connect system disclosed herein.

FIG. 26 illustrates an example method by which a user with properauthorization may view various report data on the example connect systemdisclosed herein.

FIGS. 27A-D together illustrate an example method by which a user mayinitialize a call in the Push-to-Talk application through the connectapplication.

FIG. 28 illustrates an example view of the screen of a mobile devicewhich is attempting to initialize a call.

FIG. 29 illustrates an example view of the screen of a mobile devicewhich is receiving a call request.

FIG. 30 illustrates an example view of the screen of a mobile devicewhich is currently in call mode.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description of example methods and systems is not intendedto limit the scope of the description to the precise form or formsdetailed herein. Instead the following description is intended to beillustrative so that others may follow its teachings.

A mobile application for connecting sales associates to various servicesystems is disclosed hereinbelow. In general, the system provides formobile device connectivity for a sales associate to access variousretail systems, and for sales associates to communicate with one anothervia VoIP-enabled mobile devices (push-to-talk). In at least one example,the present disclosure leverages mobile technology, chat functionality,social networking, rewards, electronic catalogs, marketing and/or salesdata, retail online shopping technology and/or a consumers' socialconnections, such as through a social media website, to enable eachsales associate to provide a customized and personal shopping experiencefor multiple customers while maintaining their retail location mobility.In at least one example, the VoIP system may be gamified to provide afun diversion during the shopping and/or sales-associate experience.

In one example, the mobile application is a hybrid application deliveredon mobile devices such as an IPOD and/or an IPAD. This exampleapplication may service multiple store associates in multiple locationsacross different and/or similar retail umbrellas. Still further, theexample application may serve as a single point of entry for tasks,applications, information, reports, and/or other suitable programs.Still further, users of the example applications may be provided withimmediate access to their daily task lists, lead management, time-clockmanagement, social media, store statistics, store performance, etc.

With reference to the figures, the following discloses various examplesystems and methods for providing a system for connectivity of a salesassociate to a retail support network. To this end, a processing device20″, illustrated in the exemplary form of a mobile communication device,a processing device 20′, illustrated in the exemplary form of a computersystem, and a processing device 20 illustrated in schematic form, areprovided with executable instructions to, for example, provide a meansfor a retail organization to provide standard connectivity to a salesassociate for accessing a host system server 68 and, among other things,for connecting to a hosted online retail environment (e.g. a retailstore), a social networking site, a user profile, customer and/or salessupport, other sales associates, personal shoppers, etc. Generally, thecomputer executable instructions reside in program modules which mayinclude routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, etc.that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract datatypes. Accordingly, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciatethat the processing devices 20, 20′, 20″ illustrated in FIG. 1 may beembodied in any device having the ability to execute instructions suchas, by way of example, a personal computer, a mainframe computer, apersonal-digital assistant (“PDA”), a cellular telephone, a mobiledevice, a tablet, an ereader, or the like. Furthermore, while describedand illustrated in the context of a single processing device 20, 20′,20″ those of ordinary skill in the art will also appreciate that thevarious tasks described hereinafter may be practiced in a distributedenvironment having multiple processing devices linked via a local orwide-area network whereby the executable instructions may be associatedwith and/or executed by one or more of multiple processing devices.

For performing the various tasks in accordance with the executableinstructions, the example processing device 20 includes a processingunit 22 and a system memory 24 which may be linked via a bus 26. Withoutlimitation, the bus 26 may be a memory bus, a peripheral bus, and/or alocal bus using any of a variety of bus architectures. As needed for anyparticular purpose, the system memory 24 may include read only memory(ROM) 28 and/or random access memory (RAM) 30. Additional memory devicesmay also be made accessible to the processing device 20 by means of, forexample, a hard disk drive interface 32, a magnetic disk drive interface34, and/or an optical disk drive interface 36. As will be understood,these devices, which would be linked to the system bus 26, respectivelyallow for reading from and writing to a hard disk 38, reading from orwriting to a removable magnetic disk 40, and for reading from or writingto a removable optical disk 42, such as a CD/DVD ROM or other opticalmedia. The drive interfaces and their associated computer-readable mediaallow for the nonvolatile storage of computer-readable instructions,data structures, program modules, and other data for the processingdevice 20. Those of ordinary skill in the art will further appreciatethat other types of non-transitory computer-readable media that canstore data and/or instructions may be used for this same purpose.Examples of such media devices include, but are not limited to, magneticcassettes, flash memory cards, digital videodisks, Bernoulli cartridges,random access memories, nano-drives, memory sticks, and other read/writeand/or read-only memories.

A number of program modules may be stored in one or more of thememory/media devices. For example, a basic input/output system (BIOS)44, containing the basic routines that help to transfer informationbetween elements within the processing device 20, such as duringstart-up, may be stored in ROM 28. Similarly, the RAM 30, hard drive 38,and/or peripheral memory devices may be used to store computerexecutable instructions comprising an operating system 46, one or moreapplications programs 48 (such as a Web browser), other program modules50, and/or program data 52. Still further, computer-executableinstructions may be downloaded to one or more of the computing devicesas needed, for example via a network connection.

To allow a user to enter commands and information into the processingdevice 20, input devices such as a keyboard 54 and/or a pointing device56 are provided. While not illustrated, other input devices may includea microphone, a joystick, a game pad, a scanner, a camera, touchpad,touch screen, virtual keyboard, etc. These and other input devices wouldtypically be connected to the processing unit 22 by means of aninterface 58 which, in turn, would be coupled to the bus 26. Inputdevices may be connected to the processor 22 using interfaces such as,for example, a parallel port, game port, firewire, or a universal serialbus (USB). To view information from the processing device 20, a monitor60 or other type of display device may also be connected to the bus 26via an interface, such as a video adapter 62. In addition to the monitor60, the processing device 20 may also include other peripheral outputdevices, not shown, such as, for example, speakers, cameras, printers,or other suitable devices.

As noted, the processing device 20 may also utilize logical connectionsto one or more remote processing devices, such as the host system server68 having associated data repository 68A. In this regard, while the hostsystem server 68 has been illustrated in the exemplary form of acomputer, it will be appreciated that the host system server 68 may,like processing device 20, be any type of device having processingcapabilities. Again, it will be appreciated that the host system server68 need not be implemented as a single device but may be implemented ina manner such that the tasks performed by the host system server 68 aredistributed amongst a plurality of processing devices/databases locatedat different geographical locations and linked through a communicationnetwork. Additionally, the host system server 68 may have logicalconnections to other third party systems via a network 12, such as, forexample, the Internet, LAN, MAN, WAN, cellular network, cloud network,enterprise network, virtual private network, wired and/or wirelessnetwork, or other suitable network, and via such connections, will beassociated with data repositories that are associated with such otherthird party systems. Such third party systems may include, withoutlimitation, systems of banking, credit, or other financial institutions,systems of third party providers of goods and/or services, systems ofshipping/delivery companies, etc.

For performing tasks as needed, the host system server 68 may includemany or all of the elements described above relative to the processingdevice 20. In addition, the host system server 68 would generallyinclude executable instructions for, among other things, coordinating apersonal shopper relationship, providing a social network, storing auser's personal information, facilitating recommendations, providingaccess to merchandise, etc.

Communications between the processing device 20 and the host systemserver 68 may be exchanged via a further processing device, such as anetwork router (not shown), that is responsible for network routing.Communications with the network router may be performed via a networkinterface component 73. Thus, within such a networked environment, e.g.,the Internet, World Wide Web, LAN, cloud, or other like type of wired orwireless network, it will be appreciated that program modules depictedrelative to the processing device 20, or portions thereof, may be storedin the non-transitory memory storage device(s) of the host system server68.

Referring to FIG. 2, there is illustrated an overview of an examplesystem 200 for providing multiple sales associates with access tomultiple application providing connectivity to a retail environment'snetwork in accordance with an example of the present disclosure. Thesystem 200 is well-Suited for operation on a distributed network system,such as, for example, a client-server architecture utilizing theInternet, cloud, mobile network, cellular network, or other suitablewired and/or wireless network. The system 200 may be implemented invarious other communication networks and/or mediums as desiredincluding, for example, a localized, non-distributed network.

Generally speaking, the system 200 is operable to facilitate onlineconnectivity of multiple sale associates to various in-storeapplications as well as networked and/or non-networked datarepositories. It will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the artthat the number of sales associates concurrently using the system 200may vary as desired. In the illustrated example, a first associate 210may access the system 200 through any suitable device 20, such as acomputer system 212, a smart phone 214, a tablet computer 216, or anyother suitable known or yet to be developed communication device. In thedisclosed example, the communication device 20 is capable of Internetbrowsing, textual transmission, audio transmission, VoIP communicationsand/or video transmission (e.g., video chat, video phone, etc), but itwill be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art that thecommunication device may be any suitable communication device includingany voice, email, text and/or video communication with or without use ofother transmission types.

Concurrently, in the illustrated example, a second sales associate 220may also access the system 200 through any suitable device, such as acomputer system 222, a smart phone 224, a tablet computer 226, or anyother suitable known or yet to be developed communication device.Similar to the first user's devices, the communication devices 222, 224,226 are each capable of Internet browsing, textual transmission, audiotransmission, VoIP communications and/or video transmission (e.g., videochat, video phone, etc) as desired.

Each sales associate 210, 220 accesses the host server 68 through thenetwork(s) 12. In this example, each associate 210, 220 accesses thesystem 68 through a separate network 12, but it will be appreciated thatthe network access may be architected in any suitable manner. Each ofthe network(s) 12 provides network routing utilizing a cloud basednetwork, although any appropriate routing device (software, firmware,hardware, and/or the like) may be utilized. The connection between theuser 210 and the user 220 may be through the network 12, through asocial network 68′, and/or through the host system 68.

The illustrated approach may take advantage of the convergence of mobiledevices, IP telephony (e.g., VoIP, SIP, etc.) and Internet applicationsuch as, for example, FACETIME, SKYPE, etc. The example system 200 mayalso enable interactive communications amongst user across variedplatforms, (e.g., IOS, ANDROID, WINDOWS, etc.), devices (e.g., Mobilephones, PCs, MACs, Tablets, etc.), networks (e.g., WI-FI, 3G, 4G, etc.),and media (e.g., voice, text, video, etc.).

For allowing a user to setup and/or manage all of their sales associatetasks, messages, etc. the host server system 68 may make available tothe sales associate one or more tools by which a sales associate can,for example, interact with graphical user interface elements to create,perform, manage and/or receive information such as sales data,point-of-sale interactivity, sales and/or marketing information, rewardsinformation, credit information, manuals, retail store information,employment data and/or records, and/or any other suitable information.

By way of example only, FIG. 3 illustrates a screen shot of variousmanagement tools that may be provided to a sales associate at the usercomputer device 20 via the host system server 68. As illustrated, asales associate management application 300 may include a sales associatearea 302, by which a use can see information regarding the currentlylogged in sales associate, a logout selectable interface 304, which canbe utilized to disconnect and/or deauthorize the device 20 from theserver 68, a sales data area 306 to provide the sales associate withlinks to authorized sales data trends provided by the server 68, alisting area 308 providing a listing of sales associates logged into thesystem, an application area 310 proving a selectable listing and/oriconic view of available applications, and a navigation area 312allowing quick navigation of various user interfaces as will bedescribed herein. Additionally, any alerts, such as, for example anynews alerts, may be displayed to the sales associate at an area 320 asillustrated in FIG. 4. It will be appreciated by one of ordinary skillin the art that these areas need not be displayed concurrently and/or inthe exact manner as shown in FIG. 2 and that variations may be made asdesired.

More particularly, once the user navigates to the sales associatemanagement application 300 that is hosted in the host server system 68,a determination may be made as to whether or not the user is currentlylogged into the system as illustrated in FIG. 3. If the sales associateis not logged into the system and it is not indicated to the system thatthe user has otherwise previously used the sales associate managementapplication 300, which indication may be stored in a cookie stored onthe device 20, or may be provided as a dedicated device (e.g.,permanently logged in as a specific user), the sales associate may beprovided with a welcoming message and directed to the area 304 where theuser may access a log-in procedure.

When the user is logged into the sales associate management application300, the system may next determine the authorization level of the userby querying the server 68. Upon determination of the authorizationlevel, the system may display different information to the salesassociate. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the sales associate isdetermined to be a manager at area 302. Accordingly, in this example,the area 308 may provide a listing of the associates reporting to themanager that are currently logged into the system. For example, loggingin as a manager may cause the server 68 to query the data repository 68Aand/or any other suitable system component to determine the availablesales associates currently logged into the system. It will beappreciated, however, that information provided to the user at the area308 and/or any other area of the application 300 may be predeterminedand/or otherwise defaulted based upon the authorization level of theuser, and/or may be overwritten and/or otherwise determined through userpreferences set by the user and associated with the user log-in. In someexamples, the listing of sales associates may include a listing of allassociated sales associates, with a visual indication on some and/or allusers who are not currently logged into the system, such as graying-out,etc. As illustrated in FIG. 4, if the server 68 returns that the user ofthe application 300 is a sales associate reporting to a manager, theapplication 300 may display at the area 308 a listing of tasks assignedand/or other relevant information to the associate by a user ofauthority, such as for example the manager.

Turning now to FIG. 5, when a user presented with a listing of salesassociates, as illustrated in FIG. 3 selects and/or otherwise indicatesa selection of one of the listed associated (for example by clicking,touching, and/or hovering over the name of the associate), additionalinformation regarding the selected associate is displayed to the user atan area 502. In particular, selection of the listed sales associatecauses the server 68 to query the data repository 69A and/or anothersuitable component, to return information specific to the individualchosen, and to which the user has the proper authorization to view,either through managerial hierarchy or privacy settings. In thisexample, the additional information regarding area 502 is a listing ofassociate tasks assigned to the associate. An example task managementapplication is described in detail in U.S. Ser. No. 12/622,803, U.S.Publication No. 2011/0126123, incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety. Additionally, the additional information may include theselected users name, photo, profile, and/or a contact method in an area504.

Still further, as can be seen in FIG. 5, navigation to the specificassociate details may also be obtained by selecting a “people”navigation area 506 on the navigation bar 312. It will be appreciated byone of ordinary skill in the art, however, that the name and/or locationof the navigation area 506 may be varied as desired. Another examplearea 600 that may be displayed to the user upon selection of thenavigation area 506 is illustrated in FIG. 6. In this example, selectionof the “people” navigation area 506 causes the server 68 to query thedata repository and/or any other suitable system component to return thestatus and/or listing of sales associates currently logged into thesystem, and/or currently unavailable as desired. The results of thequery by the server 68 is displayed in an area 602. In the illustratedexample, the listing includes all associates currently logged in to theapplication 300.

In yet another example (not shown), the listing may be filtered, sortedand/or otherwise manipulated by the user as desired. Still further, thelisting may by displayed as a list by selecting an area 604, as shown inFIG. 6. Alternatively, the listing of associates (and their associatedavailability) may be displayed as a map view 700 including an indicationof each associate utilizing, for example, push-pin type indicators asare well known in the art, by selecting an area 702 as shown in FIG. 7.In at least one example, selection of the area 702 may cause the server68 to query the data repository 68A for a map and/or other illustrationof the retail location in which the device 20 is located. It will beappreciated that the device 20 may be located through any known and/oryet to be discovered location service including, for instance, indoorGPS and/or network location services. Additionally, the server 68 mayquery each of the device 20 in use by the listed associates to determinetheir location as well in either real-time and/or through other locationservices including for instance check-in services. As will be understoodby one of ordinary skill in the art, the location indicators may beupdated as desired (e.g. to provide a real-time indication of theirtracked location) and furthermore, the color and/or label of theindicator may be altered depending upon various status indicatorsincluding the user's role, association with the user, etc. In at leastone example, the map view may be filtered by selecting the area 704 tocause the application to remove and/or highlight certain individualsand/or items in the map view as desired.

Turning now to FIG. 8, in order to provide shift time-clock managementtools, the example application 300 is provided with a “punch tool”application area 802. In this example, selection of the area 802 causesthe server 68 to query the current time-clock status of the logged inassociate and present an area 804 to the user showing the results of thequery. For instance, the area may display the current users' employmentidentification number and/or any other suitable identifier as well asany cumulative hours, punch-ins, punch-outs, breaks remaining, etc. Thearea 804 may also provide selectable punch-in/punch-out selectionsand/or break selections as illustrated. In this instance, as notedabove, the server 68 may already return the current status of the userregarding the time-clock and gray out and/or other deactivate thevarious selections that are unavailable due to the status of the user.In any event, selection of any of the activated buttons will cause theserver 68 to update the time-clock status of the individual user asnecessary, and integration with the accounting/pay time-clockapplication hosted on the server 68 and/or any other suitable systemcomponent may be seamlessly achieved.

Referring now to FIGS. 9 and 10, in order to provide variousapplications to the user, the system provides a menu of applications byselecting the area 902 in the navigation bar 312. By selecting the area902, the server 68 queries the data repository 68A to determine thepre-set and/or customized applications available to the user.Alternatively, the applications may be stored on the device 20 itself,and the user may have global access and/or restricted access to theapplications based upon their login credentials. In the example of FIGS.9 and 10, the applications are listed in the area 904 as thumbnailicons. It will be appreciated, however, by one of ordinary skill in theart that the method of displaying the applications may vary as desiredincluding listing, etc. Additionally, the example area 904 includes apage indicator 906 to visually describe to the user what page the deviceis displaying in regard to the available applications. As can beappreciated, the applications displayed in the area 904 may be ainclusive and/or exclusive set of the applications provided for in theapplication area 310 shown in FIG. 3.

As illustrated in FIG. 11, the navigation area 312 may also present theuser with an area 1100 for accessing additional applications and/oritems as desired. For example, in this instance, selection of the area1100 causes the application to query the server 68 and thus provide theuser with, additional applications and/or features as desired and asauthorized by a query against the data repository 68A and/or a queryagainst the device 20. In this example, the additional applications arelisted in a selectable list view at the area 1110, although theapplications may be shown as selectable icons as per FIGS. 9 and 10.

Referring now to FIG. 12, there is illustrated an example interface 1200showing the example application launched by the device 20 when a userselects the “Checklist” application as illustrated in the area 310 inFIG. 3. In this example, the checklist application allows the salesassociate to add 1210, modify 1212, and/or delete 1214 to-do itemsand/or other notes that may be of interest to the sales associate. Topopulate and/or store the created items, the server 68 may query and/orstore the information regarding the items on the data repository 68A.Furthermore, as previously noted, any suitable to-do checklist-typeapplication may be provided including the to-do list previouslydescribed in U.S. application Ser. No. 12/622,803.

Referring to FIG. 13, there is illustrated an example interface 1300showing an example lead management application launched by the device 20when the sales associate selects the “Digital BC” application asillustrated in the area 310 in FIG. 3. In this example, the leadmanagement application is similar to the to-do list managementapplication in that it allows the sales associate the ability to createa new lead 1310, view leads 1312, and/or contact leads 1314 as desired.Still further, similar to the to-do list application, to populate and/orstore created leads, the server 68 queries and/or stores the informationregarding the items on the data repository 68A and returns the relevantdata to the device 20 for display.

Tuning now to FIGS. 14-18, to allow the sales associate to enroll thecustomer into a rewards program, the application provides for an exampleinterface 1400 displayed by an example rewards log-in applicationlaunched by the device 20 when the sales associate selects the “SYWRSignup” application as illustrated in the area 310 in FIG. 3. In thisexample application, the device 20 may provide for a display 1410 toallow the sales associate to input information regarding the customersufficient to allow the server 68 to lookup the customer information inits membership database stored, for example, in the data repository 68A.While in this example the customer email is provided in the interface1410, any item suitable for identifying the customer may be utilizedincluding the membership number, phone number, address, otheridentifier, etc. By choosing the “next” button 1412, the sales associatecauses the server 68 to perform a lookup in the data repository and, ifa match is available, display the customer information to the salesassociate. As will be appreciated, the sales associate may be presentedwith the option of canceling the lookup at 1414.

If the server 68 fails to identify the customer, the server will causethe device 20 to display a customer sign-up at FIGS. 15-17 allowing thesales associate to enter an assigned rewards account number if availableat 1500, enter and confirm the customer information at the interface1600, and confirm that the customer has been enrolled with the server 68at 1700. It will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art thatwhile the flow and interface diagrams illustrated are but one exampleenrollment process that may be used, various other enrollment processesmay be utilized as desired without departing, from the scope of thepresent disclosure.

Referring now to FIG. 18, there is illustrated an example interface 1800that may be used by the device 20 to cause the server 68 to modify theapplication and/or number of applications displayed to the user in theare 310 as illustrated in FIG. 3. In this way, the application may betruly customized to meet each of the sales associates' individual needs.

Referring now to FIGS. 19-26, there is illustrated additional exampleuser interfaces to provide a digital experience for a sales associate.In this example, the application provides for an integrated retailvision that dramatically improves the entire shopping experiencein-store by connecting customers and sales associates to one another. Inone example, the present shopping experience may include a mobile videochat session as described in U.S. application Ser. No. 13/273,459,entitled “Systems And Methods For Providing A Distributed Mobile CallCenter For A Service Establishment,” filed Oct. 14, 2011, andincorporated herein by reference in its entirety. In another example,the present shopping experience may include an in-store assistanceapplication as described in U.S. application Ser. No. 13/364,441,entitled “Methods And Systems For Providing Location Based AssistanceVia A Mobile Device,” filed Feb. 2, 2012, and also incorporated hereinby reference in its entirety.

As described in the identified applications, the present connectedapplication may provide a customer with assistance in-store and mayallow a sales associate the enhanced ability to provide the support. Inparticular, in one example, the application may allow a customer to walkinto a retail establishment and provide a “check-in” and/or otheridentification means to inform the application of the customer'spresence. As illustrate in FIG. 19, in this example, an interface 1900causes the server 68 to query the data repository and/or the socialnetwork 68′ to determine which sales associates 1910 and which customers1920 have “checked-in” at the location. In this interface 1900, thesales associate can see who the other associates are in the store andthey can determine which customers are nearby and may require service.

For instance, as illustrated in FIG. 20, another interface 2000 may besimilar to the map view of FIG. 7 in that the sales associate can seeboth other sales associates as well as customer. In this instance, thesales associate can view themselves on the store map and can also see amap of other associates and customers to maximize customer coverage. Inaddition, the sales associate can hover over and/or otherwise select thecustomer or sales associate to “push-to-talk,” text, email, video chat,and/or otherwise communicate with the selected person. The technicalcapabilities to support this functionality may be provided by anysuitable in-store navigation aid including Wi-Fi, indoor GPS, etc. Inthe illustrated example, the sales associate can also see how manyassociates and/or customers are using the application at the area 2010,which causes the server 68 to return the location and status of all theusers of the system. In one example, the sales associate may also viewphotos at area 2012, comments at area 2014, and various store metrics atarea 2016, which as described may be stored at the server 68, on thedevice 20, and/or at any other suitable location. Still further, thesales associate may zoom in and see exactly where the other associatesand/or check-ins are located within the department by utilizing thetypical zoom bar 2020.

Turning to FIG. 21, there is illustrated an example interface 2100showing comments from selected the area 2016. As shown, the salesassociate can click-on and/or otherwise select the comments tab 2014 andview all posts on any social networking feed such as, for example,PEBBLE, TWITTER, etc., related to the sales associate's associatedretail establishment. As will be understood, in the area 2100, the usermay be able to view, post, reply, and/or otherwise manipulate varioussocial media posts.

Similarly, as illustrated in FIG. 22, there is illustrates an exampleinterface 2200 showing various store metrics. In the illustratedinterface, a month-to-date (MTD) metrics is viewed and may be tied intoany suitable metric measurement application running on the server 68and/or the device 20 such as, for example, GameOn Metrics. As will beunderstood, the metrics view may be filtered, sorted, manipulated in anydesired manner for providing meaningful store measurements to the salesassociate, including enterprise level, region level, store level (e.g.local), department level, and/or sales associate level.

Examining now FIGS. 23 and 24, there is shown an example interface 2300for displaying various activities that may be predetermined forperformance by the sales associate, such as, for instance, stockingshelves, organizing shelves, price changes, signage changes, helpingcustomers, unloading a truck, stockroom activities,inspections/cleanings, cashiering, service desk, etc. The salesassociate may simply go about their daily activities as they normallydo, with the added ability to track the amount of time spent on eachtask by selecting a start button 2310 and/or a stop button 2312. Asshown in FIG. 24, selecting the activity type may display a clock 2410showing the elapsed time on each task.

Still further as illustrated in FIG. 25, the application may cause thedevice 20 to query the server 68 to provide the sales associate withprivate information regarding the employment of the sales associate. Inparticular, the associate may choose a benefits application that allowsthe sales associate to see their personal information that may be ofvalue to the associate, such as paycheck information, address/contactinformation, paystub information, tax information, calendar, performancemetrics, benefits, etc. It will be appreciated by one of ordinary skillin the art that the privacy concerns associated with providing personalinformation over a shared device may be overcome by encryption, deletionof stored data, etc. as desired. In addition to personal information,the sales associate may be able to review human resources specificinformation including job postings, new hire information, orientationinformation, etc.

As illustrated in FIG. 26, the sales associate may be provided withsufficient authorization to review the performance of variousindividuals in the retail organization at an interface 2600. In thisexample, as a store manager, the sales associate would have informationavailable such as the number of associates worked, total hours, payroll,hours by, activity, etc. In one embodiment, the interface 2600 displaysa comparison of how the displayed metrics change over time and/or acomparison between one retail location and another location.Productivity may be provided in the results and store and/or provided bythe server 68 as an enterprise as desired.

Still further, as previously noted, the application may provide thesales associate with the ability to “talk” to other customers and/orsales associate on additional devices 20. In one example, the connectapplication may incorporate an auxiliary push-to-talk application forenabling a two-way full duplex peer-to-peer voice call. The exampleapplication may support live talking and allow other applications tooperate independently by utilizing, for instance a SIP protocol whichmay be used on any suitable device 20 such as an IPAD and/or an IPODTOUCH. While communication may be limited to interaction within a singlestore, utilizing a single WI-FI network, communication may be broadenedto other locations and/or devices as desired. Additionally, bysuspending the application in the background and enabling theapplication to receive intermittent “keep awake” messages from the hostsystem server 68, the application ensures low battery usage, whileproviding incoming call notifications which include a caller's nameand/or caller's photo provided by the server 68 and/or the device 20.

As illustrated in FIG. 27A, a user can access the push-to-talkapplication by selecting a “people” navigation area 2706 on thenavigation bar 2712. Doing so will cause mobile device 20″ to query thehost system server 68 to request data 68A in the form of a listing ofall sales associates currently logged into the application 300. Thus,the application 300 will cause area 2702 to display a list of all suchassociates, as shown in the display area 2702 in FIG. 27B as described.The user can then select a sales associate from the list of availableassociates 2702 to bring up the specified associate, as shown in FIG.27C. To initiate a push-to-talk call with that associate, the userselects the “Contact Associate” button 2720 shown in FIG. 27C. Havingdone so, mobile device 20″ will send a call initiation request throughnetwork 12 to the host system server 68, which will forward the callinitiation request back through network 12 to mobile device 20′″ of theintended call recipient. By virtue of the intermittent “keep awake”messages sent from the host system server 12 to mobile device 20′″ ofthe intended call recipient, the call initiation request will beforwarded to mobile device 20′″, which will then display thenotification illustrated in FIG. 27D and which enables the associate toeither accept or ignore the call, as shown at 2724 and 2728,respectively. If the sales associate ignores the call, mobile device20′″ will send an “ignore” message through network 12 to the host systemserver 68, which will forward the message back through network 12 to thecaller's mobile device 20″, thereby alerting the caller that theintended recipient has rejected the call attempt and terminating same.If the sales associate accepts the call, mobile device 20′″ will querythe host server system 12 to establish a voice connection throughnetwork 12 between mobile device 20′″ and mobile device 20″.

FIGS. 28-30 illustrate additional examples of screenshots for users whomake or receive calls according to the push-to-talk application. Asshown in FIG. 28, the user has initiated a call with “Mike,” as shown bythe outgoing call indicator 2810. The user can end the outgoing call byhitting the end call button 2820. Similarly, in FIG. 29, the user isreceiving a call from “Alan,” as shown by the incoming call indicator2910. Here, the user can ignore the call from “Alan” by hitting the endcall button 2920. FIG. 30 illustrates how the screen may look during anongoing call, with ongoing call indicator 3010 lit green, and a timer3015 showing how long since the call was initialized. As before, eitheruser can end the ongoing call by hitting the end call button 3020.

Additionally, one of skill in the art will appreciate that the store mayset up Internet-enabled call boxes throughout the store which areaccessible by customers. A customer who requires assistance need onlyapproach such a call box and press a button, which will send an alertsimilar to that shown in FIG. 27D indicating that a customer hasrequested assistance from a given call box. Alternatively, a customermay use the call box to pull up a map view of the sales associates asshown in FIG. 7, thereby enabling the customer to seek out and find theclosest sales associate. In this way, customers can receive assistancefrom sales associates relatively quickly, and need not wander aboutstore in search of sales associates.

Although certain example methods and apparatus have been describedherein, the scope of coverage of this patent is not limited thereto. Onthe contrary, this patent covers all methods, apparatus, and articles ofmanufacture fairly falling within the scope of the appended claimseither literally or under the doctrine of equivalents.

We claim:
 1. A non-transitory computer-readable media having stored thereon computer executable instructions, wherein the instructions perform steps for connecting a sales associate to a central server via a mobile computing device, comprising: hosting a database of information regarding sales associates and a retail establishment; providing a first user interface comprising user interface elements for allowing the sales associate to access, via a network, the central server for the retail establishment, the central server allowing multiple additional sales associates on multiple additional mobile devices to access the central server; providing mobile point-of-sale support by providing that the user interface includes a touch-sensitive screen configured to enter commands and information; accessing, via the user interface, multiple channels using a single mobile platform for use by the sales associate, wherein the multiple channels include a customer social networking channel and one or more of a retail channel, a financial channel, a voice over Internet protocol communications channel, a customer rewards channel, and a mobile point-of-sale channel, wherein the sales associate provides, through the customer social networking channel, a customized and personal shopping experience for multiple customers while maintaining retail location mobility; determining, by one or more location-determining devices, real-time locations in the retail establishment of the sales associates and customers that check-in; and causing the user interface to display a list view and a map view of the sales associates and the customers that check-in, wherein the user interface is configured to initiate communications with a particular customer via a selection of one or more graphical user interface elements corresponding to the particular customer on a map of the retail establishment, wherein the user interface is configured to initiate communications with a particular sales associate via a selection of one or more graphical user interface elements corresponding to the particular sales associate on the map of the retail establishment, wherein the user interface is configured to provide the sales associate with daily task lists, lead management, time-clock management, and sales metrics, wherein the user interface is configured to inform the sales associate when a particular customer checks in and is present in the retail establishment, wherein the single mobile platform for use by the sales associate is configured for voice communications with one or more Internet-enabled customer interfaces positioned in the retail establishment, wherein the one or more Internet-enabled customer interfaces are configured to provide a map view of locations of sales associates in the retail establishment, wherein the map view is configured to filter the map view according to criteria including by sales associate and item for sale, wherein the user interface causes the central server to return and display information over the network regarding the sales associates accessing the central server, and wherein the user interface allows the sales associate to select the displayed information regarding one of the sales associates accessing the central server to initialize a voice over Internet protocol audio communication therewith over the network.
 2. The non-transitory computer-readable media as defined in claim 1, wherein the instructions enable the sales associate to query the central server to provide a dynamic list of the multiple additional sales associates who are logged into the central server via their respective multiple additional mobile devices.
 3. The non-transitory computer-readable media as defined in claim 2, wherein the instructions provide for displaying in a list view the multiple additional sales associates who are logged into the central server, and wherein the instructions provide for displaying in a map view the multiple additional sales associates who are logged into the central server.
 4. The non-transitory computer-readable media as defined in claim 2, wherein the user interface includes a voice over Internet protocol application that, when opened, creates an active transmission control protocol connection over the network and subsequently receives, via the connection, keep-awake messages a plurality of times per minute, wherein the central server can detect when the voice over Internet protocol application is closed and stop sending the keep-awake messages, and wherein, by utilizing a session initiation protocol, the voice over Internet protocol application is configured to provide live voice communications and concurrently allow other applications to operate independently of the live voice communications.
 5. The non-transitory computer-readable media as defined in claim 1, wherein the first user interface is provided on one or more of a mobile personal computer, a personal-digital assistant (“PDA”), a cellular telephone, a mobile device, a tablet, and an ereader.
 6. The non-transitory computer-readable media as defined in claim 1, wherein the instructions provide for enabling audio communications across different operating systems, or wherein the instructions provide for enabling the mobile computing device to alternatively suspend operation by receiving a series of intermittent messages from the central server, and to re-establish operation upon receiving a call request embedded in one of the intermittent messages.
 7. The non-transitory computer-readable media as defined in claim 1, wherein the user interface is configured to provide a sales associate with a map of the retail establishment showing the particular customer on the map after the particular customer has checked in, provide access to online social media content concerning the particular customer, and provide access to online social media content concerning the retail establishment.
 8. A non-transitory computer-readable media having stored thereon computer executable instructions, wherein the instructions perform steps for enabling a store customer to connect with one of a plurality of sales associates, comprising: hosting a database of information regarding the plurality of sales associates and a retail establishment; providing a mobile first user interface comprising user interface elements for allowing a sales associate to access, via a network, a central server for the retail establishment, the central server allowing multiple additional sales associates on multiple additional mobile devices to access the central server; providing mobile point-of-sale support by providing that the mobile first user interface includes a touch-sensitive screen configured to enter commands and information; accessing, via the mobile first user interface, multiple channels using a single mobile platform for use by the sales associate, wherein the multiple channels include a customer social networking channel and one or more of a retail channel, a financial channel, a voice over Internet protocol communications channel, a customer rewards channel, and a mobile point-of-sale channel, wherein the sales associate provides, through the customer social networking channel, a customized and personal shopping experience for multiple customers while maintaining retail location mobility; determining, by one or more location-determining devices, real-time locations in the retail establishment of the sales associates and customers that check-in; and causing the user interface to display a list view and a map view of the sales associates and the customers that check-in, wherein the user interface is configured to initiate communications with a particular customer via a selection of one or more graphical user interface elements corresponding to the particular customer on a map of the retail establishment, wherein the user interface is configured to initiate communications with a particular sales associate via a selection of one or more graphical user interface elements corresponding to the particular sales associate on the map of the retail establishment, wherein the single mobile platform for use by the sales associate is configured for voice communications with one or more Internet-enabled customer interfaces positioned in the retail establishment, wherein the one or more Internet-enabled customer interfaces are configured to provide a map view of locations of sales associates, wherein the map view is configured to accent and remove particular sales associates and particular items for sale on the map view, wherein the mobile first user interface causes the central server to return and display information over the network regarding the store customer and the first location, wherein the mobile first user interface is configured to provide the sales associate with daily task lists, lead management, time-clock management, and sales metrics, and wherein the mobile first user interface is configured to inform the sales associate when a particular customer checks in and is present in the retail establishment.
 9. A non-transitory computer-readable media having stored thereon computer executable instructions, wherein the instructions perform steps for enabling a store customer to connect with one of a plurality of sales associates, comprising: hosting a database of information regarding the plurality of sales associates and a retail establishment; providing a mobile first user interface comprising user interface elements for allowing a sales associate to access, via a network, a central server for the retail establishment, the central server allowing multiple additional sales associates on multiple additional mobile devices to access the central server, wherein the central server maintains a list of locations corresponding to the plurality of sales associates; providing mobile point-of-sale support by providing that the first user interface includes a touch-sensitive screen configured to enter commands and information; accessing, via the first user interface, multiple channels using a single mobile platform for use by the sales associate, wherein the multiple channels include a customer social networking channel and one or more of a retail channel, a financial channel, a voice over Internet protocol communications channel, a customer rewards channel, and a mobile point-of-sale channel, wherein the sales associate provides, through the customer social networking channel, a customized and personal shopping experience for multiple customers while maintaining retail location mobility; determining, by one or more location-determining devices, real-time locations in the retail establishment of the sales associates and customers that check-in; and causing the user interface to display a list view and a map view of the sales associates and the customers that check-in, wherein the user interface is configured to initiate communications with a particular customer via a selection of one or more graphical user interface elements corresponding to the particular customer on a map of the retail establishment, wherein the user interface is configured to initiate communications with a particular sales associate via a selection of one or more graphical user interface elements corresponding to the particular sales associate on the map of the retail establishment, wherein the single mobile platform for use by the sales associate is configured for voice communications with one or more Internet-enabled customer interfaces positioned in the retail establishment, wherein the one or more Internet-enabled customer interfaces are configured to provide a map view of locations of sales associates and items for sale, wherein the second user interface causes the central server to return and display information over the network regarding the list of locations corresponding to the plurality of sales associates, wherein the mobile first user interface provides point of sale services for the store customer, wherein the user interface is configured to provide the sales associate with daily task lists, lead management, punch-clock time management, and sales metrics, wherein the user interface is configured to inform the sales associate when a particular customer checks in and is present in the retail establishment, wherein the mobile first user interface includes a voice over Internet protocol application that is configured to provide live voice communications and concurrently allows other applications of the platform to operate independently of the live voice communications, and wherein the voice over Internet protocol application of the platform is configured to provide a gamified diversion during a sales associate experience.
 10. The non-transitory computer-readable media as defined in claim 1, wherein the first user interface provides a platform configured to provide financial tools, marketing tools, POS services, and social networking tools.
 11. The non-transitory computer-readable media as defined in claim 8, wherein the mobile first user interface provides a platform configured to provide daily task lists, time-clock management, social media, store statistics, and store performance, and wherein a voice over Internet protocol application of the platform is configured to provide a gamified diversion during a sales-associate experience.
 12. The non-transitory computer-readable media as defined in claim 9, wherein the database of information includes information about sales associates in different stores.
 13. The non-transitory computer-readable media as defined in claim 8, wherein the mobile first user interface includes a voice over Internet protocol application that, when opened, creates an active transmission control protocol connection over the network and subsequently receives, via the connection, keep-awake messages a plurality of times per minute, wherein the central server can detect when the voice over Internet protocol application is closed and stop sending the keep-awake messages, and wherein, by utilizing a session initiation protocol, the voice over Internet protocol application is configured to provide live voice communications and concurrently allow other applications to operate independently of the live voice communications.
 14. The non-transitory computer-readable media as defined in claim 9, wherein the voice over Internet protocol application, when opened, creates an active transmission control protocol connection over the network and subsequently receives, via the connection, keep-awake messages a plurality of times per minute, wherein the central server can detect when the voice over Internet protocol application is closed and stop sending the keep-awake messages, and wherein the voice over Internet protocol application uses a session initiation protocol.
 15. The non-transitory computer-readable media as defined in claim 8, wherein the mobile first user interface is configured to allow the sales associate to designate a customer lead item within a list as requiring a follow-up action.
 16. The non-transitory computer-readable media as defined in claim 9, wherein the mobile first user interface is configured to allow the sales associate to add or modify one or more customer leads in a lead management list.
 17. The non-transitory computer-readable media as defined in claim 8, wherein the mobile first user interface is configured to provide management tools to a manager and associate tools to an associate, or wherein the mobile first user interface is configured to provide the sales associate with a punch tool application.
 18. The non-transitory computer-readable media as defined in claim 8, wherein the mobile first user interface is configured to enable the sales associate to communicate with another sales associate by selecting an icon representing the other sales associate on the map and to communicate with a customer by selecting an icon representing the customer on the map.
 19. The non-transitory computer-readable media as defined in claim 9, wherein the mobile first user interface is configured to track amount of time spent by sales associate on each of a plurality of daily activities at the retail establishment.
 20. The non-transitory computer-readable media as defined in claim 19, wherein daily activities include one or more of pricing changes, stacking shelves, and stockroom activities, or wherein the instructions provide that the single mobile platform is configured to provide a push-to-talk application.
 21. The non-transitory computer-readable media as defined in claim 1, wherein the voice over Internet protocol application receives incoming calls without maintaining a persistent network connection. 